• As EFCC quizzes them for suspected massive looting of treasury
From our Correspondent, Benin
Barely two days after suspension from office by the State House of Assembly, Local Government Council Chairmen and deputies in Edo State; are being quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for suspected financial crimes.
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According to media reports, they have been invited for questioning by the EFCC as regards management of funds allocated to them over the years.
The invitation was contained in a letter by the EFCC Director of Investigation, Abdulkarim Chukkol and addressed to the Secretary to the State Government.
In the letter dated December 17, 2024 the EFCC directed the Chairmen of Akoko-Edo, Egor, Esan-Central, Esan-North East, Esan-South-East, and Esan-West, to report at its Benin office on Thursday, December 19, 2024.
Others include; Chairmen of Etsako-Central, Etsako-East, and Etsako-West Local Government Areas.
Also, Chairmen from Igueben, Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmwon, Ovia-North-East, Ovia-South-West, Owan-East, Owan-West, and Uhunmwode local Government Councils are scheduled to report on Friday, December 20, 2024.
They have been asked to come with certified true copies of comprehensive documentation relating to staff strength and payroll.
Other documents requested includes; details of accounts where funds are received for payment of staff salaries, details of accounts where funds are reserved for staff salaries exigencies, the statement of account of the said accounts from January 1 2024 to Date.
The request was made pursuant to Section 38(1); (2) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, the letter of invitation reportedly stated.
On Tuesday, 17 December, 2024 the Edo State House of Assembly acting on the petition of the State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo suspended the Chairmen and their deputies for alleged insubordination and misconduct.
They were said to have failed to obey the Governor's directives to submit their financial statements for scrutiny.
We reported earlier that the embattled Chairmen and deputies have insisted that they remain in office as nobody can sack them saying the action of the Governor and the State House of Assembly is illegal, null and void.
They rely on the Benin High Court judgement, Interim restraining order and the Supreme Court judgement of May 11 which grants autonomy to the Local Government Councils.
"From the foregoing, it is given that the action of the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday, 17th December, 2024 in response to the request from Governor Monday Okpebholo, suspending the Chairmen/Vice Chairmen is ultra vires and therefore a nullity because it is based on nothing in the eyes of the Law. It is also a contempt against the order of the court.
"From the foregoing, the 18 local government council chairmen elected in the election of September 2, 2023 and sworn into office on September 4, 2023 remains the Executive Chairmen of our respective local government councils and we are goin on with our constitutional responsibility as the chief executive officers of our councils.
"... the people of our various Local Government Councils gave us a mandate and that mandate cannot be truncated by anybody who believes he wants to play politics."
While in reaction the State Attorney-general and Commissioner for justice, Hon. Samson Osagie said the Government has not breached any law having merely complained via a petition to the House of Assembly which carried out its constitutional responsibility.
He adds that if the Aggieved feel any law has been breached; "we will meet in Court."
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